• The Los Angeles Fastener Association began its Certified Fastener Specialist advanced technical training program in 1998.

• To receive the CFS designation, students must complete seven full-day training programs offered throughout the year and pass a take-home exam at the end of the training.

• Upon completion of the program, students receive an engraved plaque designating their certification as a fastener specialist, according to the requirements established by LAFA.

• More than 600 students have participated in the program since its inception. We now have more than 200 graduates.

• Classes do not need to be taken in sequence. If a class is missed, it can be made up the following year. LAFA honors its most recent graduates at each association dinner meeting.

• Classes are taught by recognized industry specialists and include every-day hands-on case studies and lots of real-life information. Not generalities: just the facts, the technical facts.

• Given the advanced technical nature of this series of programs, it is highly recommended that participants:

  • Have at least two year's experience in fastener sales, purchasing, manufacturing or quality assurance OR

  • Have completed Fastener Training Institute's™ Product Training Program (a series of three full-day seminars for people new to the fastener industry).

• Books, documentation and other training materials are provided, however, each participating company must bring its own copy of:

  • ASTM Int'l Standards for Mechanical Fasteners and Related Standards for Fastener Materials, Coatings, Testing Methods and Quality, 2003

  • IFI Fastener Standards, 7th edition

  • Recommended: SAE Fastener Standards Manual HS 4000

• Some books are available for purchase from LAFA. Click on the LAFA Store tab to download a product order form.

• The Q.A. course is very informational. I?d take it once every two years to refresh my mind.

• Speakers are great.

• This one (Fastener Testing) was great, mostly because of the volume of information and things to see, plus the fact that everyone there really seemed interested in doing a good job of helping us understand.

• We had a great time learning. When it is fun and interesting we learn more and will remember longer.

• What did I like best? Small class size, the instructors' attentiveness to questions and the instructional material.

• Speakers are very down-to-earth and take their time to answer any questions. Lots of info in the binder.

• Really enjoyed watching fasteners being made.

• Great seminar! Looking forward to the next one.

• Fastener Manufacturing Plant Tour (April 22, 2008 in La Mirada, California) - Visit fastener manufacturing facilities and see cold heading, hot heading, thread rolling and heat treating for commercial and aerospace products.

• Understanding the Bolted Joint (April 29, 2008 in La Mirada, California) - Learn why tension in bolts and screws is more critical than the applied torque in making a joint secure.

• Fastener Secondary Process Plant Tour (May 13, 2008 in La Mirada, California) - Visit facilities that provide secondary processes to fasteners, including plating, heat treating and application of locking devices

• Fastener Specifications and Terminology (May 20, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio and June 10, 2008 in La Mirada, California) - Learn about the consensus standards organizations that govern our industry, get a thorough grounding in terms and definitions used in fastener specifications, study actual specifications and learn how to identify and meet customer and industry requirements.

• Dimensional and Material Specifications (July 15, 2008 in La Mirada, California and November 2, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada) - An in-depth study of most common inch dimensional and material specifications for nuts, bolts and screws, including print reading, purchasing and sales criteria.

• Fastener Quality Assurance (August 12, 2008 in La Mirada, California) - Quality assurance requirements for fasteners, including thread gaging, dimensional inspection, sampling plans, physical testing, ISO 9000 and fastener certifications. Includes hands-on lab work with inspection equipment. .

• Fastener Testing Seminar (October 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, California) - Taught on-site at an independent fastener testing lab, attendees will participate in hands-on metallurgical, physical, NDT, chemical testing and failure analysis.

Dates and locations subject to change. Registration information will be mailed to all LAFA members four weeks before each event.